Sixteen years ago today,
God blew the whistle for my 27-year old son Dan to get out of the pool. My wife and I were awakened by a 2:00 A.M. phone call with the news that Dan was gone. I use that word not because I’m afraid to say “dead” but because Dan isn’t. He’s in heaven with Jesus—very much alive, and at peace.
I think the best thing about knowing the Lord Jesus Christ is He is the source of hope. Hope for a future without death, in His presence, reunited with loved ones who knew Him before they died. And it’s forever. Read yesterday’s post for a peek into how long that is.
The Bible says,
“…in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.” (Psalm 139:16) We all have an expiration date. Thankfully, God doesn’t let us know ahead of time when it is. But, the other side of that is that we must be ready to go at any time. My wife and I have buried two children. Dan and his 1-year old sister Staci 46 years ago.
As I mentioned yesterday, I’m reading in Romans. Today, chapter 14 was part of it. What an appropriate section to remind me what my son is experiencing. “…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17) I think of all the evil he has missed out on these past 16 years, especially the rampant hatred that is now expressing itself in riots, burning, and looting under the false flag of “black lives matter.”
My hope—more than hope, a belief
—is that soon I and all who love Jesus will be experiencing the righteousness, peace, and joy Paul talked about in Romans. Are you ready? I think I can hear the trumpet player warming up. (Read I Thess. 4:16 to understand that reference.)